Theridiidae, also known as the tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders and comb-footed spiders, is a large family of araneomorph spiders first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. This diverse, globally distributed family includes over 3,000 species in 124 genera, and is the most common arthropod found in human dwellings throughout the world.
Theridion is a genus of tangle-web spiders with a worldwide distribution. Notable species are the Hawaiian happy face spider (T. grallator), named for the iconic symbol on its abdomen, and T. nigroannulatum, one of few spider species that lives in social groups, attacking prey en masse to overwhelm them as a team.
The spider genus Spintharus occurs from the northeastern United States to Brazil. Nicholas Marcellus Hentz circumscribed the genus in 1850, initially as a monospecific genus containing his newly described species S. flavidus.
Paratheridula is a monotypic genus of comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Paratheridula perniciosa. The sole species was first described in 1886 under the name Theridion perniciosum. The genus was first described by Herbert Walter Levi in 1957, though it has been described under several different names, including Mysmena 4-maculata, Theridion quadrimaculatum, and Theridion arcadicum,
Rugathodes is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Allan Frost Archer in 1950. It is closely related to members of Theridion and Wamba.
Cryptachaea is a genus of spiders in the Theridiidae family.
Lasaeola is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1881. The type species was described under the name Pachydactylus pronus, but was renamed Lasaeola prona when it was discovered that the name "Pachydactylus" was preoccupied. Both this genus and Deliana were removed from the synonymy of Dipoena in 1988, but many of these species require more study before their placement is certain.
Phylloneta is a genus of comb-footed spiders formerly considered a sub-genus of Allotheridion, and raised to genus status in 2008. The type species was first described by Eugen von Keyserling in 1884 as Theridion pictipes. As of September 2019 it contains three species and two subspecies with a holarctic distribution: P. impressa, P. pictipes, P. sisyphia, P. s. foliifera, and P. s. torandae.
Erigophantes is a monotypic genus of Indonesian dwarf spiders containing the single species, Erigophantes borneoensis. It was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1995, and has only been found on Borneo.
Ameridion is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1995. Species of this genus are found in Mexico, Central America, Northern South America and the West Indies.
Canalidion is a monotypic genus of tangle-web spiders containing the single species, Canalidion montanum. The species was first described by James Emerton in 1882 under the name Theridion montanum. J. Wunderlich moved it to its own genus in 2018, because it had more teeth on the anterior margin of the cheliceral furrow, a basal depression of the cymbium, and an embolus positioned dorsally. It has a holarctic distribution.
Exalbidion is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1995.
Hentziectypus is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Allan Frost Archer in 1946. Originally placed with Theridion, it was moved to Achaearanea in 1955, and to its own genus in 2008. These spiders most resemble members of Cryptachaea, but are distinguished by a median apophysis that is broadly attached to the tegulum. Spiders of Parasteatoda have a median apophysis attached to the embolus, while those of Achaearanea have a hooked paracymbium on the pedipalps of males.
Macaridion is a monotypic genus of European comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Macaridion barreti. The genus was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1992, and it is found in Portugal and Spain. The sole species was first described under the name Theridion barreti, but it was elevated to its own genus in 1992.
Paidiscura is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Allan Frost Archer in 1950.
Proboscidula is a genus of African comb-footed spiders that was first described by F. Miller in 1970. As of June 2020 it contains two species, found in Africa: P. loricata and P. milleri.
Ruborridion is a monotypic genus of Asian comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Ruborridion musivum. The species was first described under the name Theridion musivum in 1873. The genus was described by J. Wunderlich in 2011. They are found in India and in the mediterranean area
Sardinidion is a monotypic genus of comb-footed spiders containing the single species, Sardinidion blackwalli. It was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1995, and is found in Africa and Europe.
Simitidion is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by J. Wunderlich in 1992. As of June 2020 it contains three species, native to Africa, Asia and Europe, and introduced to Canada: S. agaricographum, S. lacuna, and S. simile.
Wamba is a genus of comb-footed spiders that was first described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1896. As of September 2019 it contains three species, found in the Americas, including the Caribbean: W. congener, W. crispulus, and W. panamensis.
